Autism Treatments – Natural or Artificial ?

The advice given by autism specialists is often subject to second opinions, by just about anyone and everyone. It is not the fault of families who seek more information, nor the doctors who are working to understand the situation.

The conventional medical community has been slow to respond to the epidemic (yes, Virginia, there is an epidemic), with very little information about precise diagnosis, etiology, treatment, or prevention. This has led to a situation in which anyone who even knows someone with ASD, saw a story on TV, the web, or has an affected child (improved or not) has advice. Also, the Internet is a sponge, soaking up stories consisting of unequal proportions of fact vs. folklore.

DietChildren who test positive for antibodies against specific foods should avoid them. This will result in less inflammation, and therefore more energy for growth and development. The only remaining question should be whether or not there is improvement in some of the signs and symptoms of autism. Parents are a pretty good judge of this.ASD patients who abstain from foods that lead to elevated levels of morphine due to the incomplete digestion of wheat and/or dairy (“leaky gut“) have a much better chance of getting out of their ‘fog’, leading to improved eye contact and socialization.
The ‘concern’ by the conventional medical community that specialized diets will cause nutritional deficiencies can easily be handled by laboratory evaluation, and intervening with appropriate supplements. Oh, and btw, when was the last time the pediatrician tested for any of these nutritional markers, anyway?
Parents can assess whether simple sugars, such as glucose or fructose, lead to hyperactivity. Importantly, foods that contain artificial colors or flavors represent an extra burden for the body to detoxify.
The reason that the families at The Child Development Center continue to administer restrictive diets is that they see the improvements in their children’s behaviors. Diets are a pain in the ass, but they work.

Sleep
A clerk at Whole Foods told one of our parents that, “The doctor is wrong about melatonin – Valerian root is much more natural.” Melatonin is the chemical that our brain utilizes to control our daily rhythm of waking and sleep. The synthesis of melatonin is fairly simple, and the product is exactly the same as what the brain produces. Valerian root is extracted from a plant, and contains over a dozen different chemicals, some of which may actually worsen symptoms of ASD. The salesperson, etc., assumes absolutely no responsibility for that erroneous opinion.
Chamomile tea is fine, especially for relaxation, and so it may decrease sleep latency (the time it takes to a fall asleep). But, it is a plant product, as well.
Warm epsom salt baths prior to bedtime are great. However, this is not because it sucks toxins out of the brain. Who doesn’t get relaxed from a warm bath, especially those with sensory overload?

Anti-fungalsFirst, let’s not forget that pediatricians have been overdosing your children with antibiotics for years. Additionally, there are steroids and antibiotics in practically everything that we eat. It is no surprise that yeast overgrowth could be the natural outcome in such a circumstance.
Second, fluconazole (diflucan) is a preparation that The Child Development Center has been utilizing for years without any problems. Hepatic toxicity is avoided by checking liver function tests prior to prescribing the medication; and periodically, thereafter, depending on how often the child requires it.Potent probiotics and avoiding further antibiotics are the surest way to avoid future yeast overgrowth.
We have explored many ‘natural’ products, including citrus seed extract, circumin, uva ursi, turmeric , and others. When ‘yeasty behaviors’ ensue, it is best to ‘bite the bullet’, and give the medicine.
Conversely, stronger medications, such as ketoconazole and Lamisil do not seem warranted.

B12 Shots“Do we really have to give those shots? Aren’t there oral supplements that have plenty of B12.”
The problem with water-soluble vitamins is not getting them into the body, it’s the prevention of rapid removal. Depositing this useful, safe supplement into fat (the tush), will enable a 2-to-3 day release into the bloodstream. You can’t keep a lollypop in your mouth all day long.
Most importantly, addressing G-I health and optimizing mitochondrial function (with oral glutathione), prior to administering methyl B12, optimizes the chances that this protocol will be successful.

Conclusion
Too few professionals are practicing the medicine discussed by the members of Medmaps.org. We spend hours learning about basic science, months reading and evaluating research, and years treating patients and advising parents. Once a doctor arrives at a your child’s diagnosis and other key issues, a course of action is suggested that produces tangible improvements for many.

Families who are fortunate enough to find a competent physician will do best to take the well-meaning advice offered by others, and the information found on the Internet, with more than a few grains of salt. Concern about whether a treatment is ‘natural’ is not nearly as important as safety and results.

One Response to “Autism Treatments – Natural or Artificial ?”

Thank you for taking the time to write this article it was very informative to me and will be for a lot of others that take the time to read it! Again greatly appreciated the information you provided!!